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Back to Ushguli

Back
to Ushguli
is a project of collection and composition about and around the sound
environment of the region of Svanetia. Located in theNorthwest
of Georgia, Svanetia is the highest inhabited region in Europe.
Mestia, its capital city, is surrounded by mountain peaks up to 5000
meters hight.
Its remote location and harsh climate makes the region one of the
most isolated of the Caucasus and it isn`t very unusual that in
winter time some villages get fully
cut off for weeks from the rest of the region
by the snow.

Legend
has it that it was in Svanetia that Jason and the Argonauts found the
Golden Fleece and according to historians the Svanes are amongst the
most ancient tribes of Georgia, in some way related to ancient
Mesopotamia. Christianized between the 7th and 9th century the Svanes
have kept their ancient beliefs and combined them with orthodox
rites. These beliefs and the
still very traditional way of life are the pillars of an unique
soundscape in which the harsh and spectacular natural environment
echoes the ritual chants and ceremonies.

From
the collected sounds of three travels to Svanetia
we composed a sound piece that will be broadcasted by RTBF in 2013. A
collection of recorded sounds will be integrated into the collection
of the Georgian National Museum.

Back
to Ushguli
is supported by the Georgian National Museums, the National Radio of
Georgia, RTBF and GeoAir.

Our
first trip to
Svanetia has been
made possible by the STEP
beyond mobility grant of the European Cultural Foundation